“Opponents such as James Hornbrook?”
Hez cut a look at Michael. Amusement flickered in the older man’s blue eyes. “James Hornbrook is no longer a dangerous opponent.”
“But he did kidnap Simon, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And the Justice Chamber may in the future accept cases against other dangerous opponents, correct?”
Hez lifted a brow. “You’re implying that the head of a legal clinic is a greater danger to Simon than the head of a crime family? That’s really your argument?”
Michael tensed and muttered something. The muscular bailiff stirred, and Morgan reached back to put a hand on Michael’s shoulder. “I’ll ask you again. The Justice Chamber may in the future accept cases against other dangerous opponents, correct?”
Hez shrugged. “I can’t speculate on what cases the Chamber may or may not take in the future—but I can assure you that I’ll do everything in my power to keep Simon safe.”
Morgan flipped through her notes and apparently decided she didn’t want to give Hez an excuse to keep talking. “No further questions.”
Hez resumed his seat with the pleasant weight of Michael’s glare on his back. Scott’s plan was working. They needed to persuade Judge O’Keefe that Simon wouldn’t be safe with Michael Willard, despite what Henderson said in her report. If Michael lost his temper and lashed out in the middle of the hearing, that just might be enough. So Hez had pushed his enemy’s buttons at every opportunity from the witness stand. It hadn’t been hard—all Hez had to do was tell the truth to Michael’s face.
Scott stepped up to the lectern. “Petitioners call Erik Andersen.”
A few people in the courtroom glanced toward the gallery, looking for Andersen. The rest didn’t react at all—except Michael. His eyes widened and he turned pale. He stared at Scott for a moment, then recovered his composure and focused his gaze on the wall in front of him.
Scott glanced over his shoulder. “It appears that Mr. Andersen is not available at the moment. Petitioners call Michael Willard.”
Michael walked to the witness box, was sworn in by the bailiff, and sat. His back didn’t touch the chair and he eyed Scott warily.
Scott gave Michael a genial smile. “Good morning, Mr. Willard. When I called Mr. Andersen a moment ago, you seemed surprised and looked at me. You were the only one in the courtroom who reacted like that. Why?”
Michael shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Could it be because you know Mr. Andersen is dead?”
Michael licked his lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I think you do. This wouldn’t be the first time a member of the Willard crime family murdered an inconvenient witness, would it?”
Michael flushed and opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Morgan popped to her feet. “Objection! Counsel is harassing the witness.”
Scott held his hands palms up. “Whether Mr. Willard is a murderer and a member of a criminal organization is clearly relevant.”
Michael glowered from the stand. “I’m neither!”
The judge gave Michael a warning look. “Wait for a question, Mr. Willard.” He turned to Scott. “It’s relevant, but you need to prove it with evidence. Don’t just throw around terms like ‘crime family.’ You know better than that, Mr. Foster.”
“Yes, Your Honor.” Scott looked at Michael. “Let’s start with Willards murdering witnesses. Your nephew Deke pled guilty to the murder of Beckett Harrison, who was going to testify against Deke, correct?”
“You’d have to ask Deke about that.”
“I’m asking you.”
“I don’t remember the specifics.”
Scott turned to his paralegal, who handed him a document. “I believe you were present at the sentencing hearing. I have a transcript in my hand. Would that help refresh your memory of the specifics?”
A vein stood out on Michael’s neck, but he kept his voice level. “I remember in general terms that Deke pled guilty to the Harrison murder.”
“And that Harrison was going to testify against Deke in another murder case?”
